EZRA 7 — EZRA THE SCRIBE AND THE DECREE OF ARTAXERXES

With chapter 7, the book of Ezra moves forward about fifty-seven years from the dedication of the temple in 515 BC to 458 BC, the seventh year of Artaxerxes I. The narrative also shifts from the third person to the first person in verse 27, beginning the section known as the Ezra memoir (7:27–9:15). The second half of the book concerns reform of the community, not construction of a building. Ezra's task was to establish the law of God as the standard for the community and to teach it. The decree of Artaxerxes in verses 12–26 is in Aramaic and is a rare example of a Persian royal rescript preserved in Scripture. Some scholars place Ezra's mission in the reign of Artaxerxes II (398 BC), but this commentary follows the traditional date of 458 BC.

The decree of Artaxerxes matches the style of Persian royal rescripts known from other sources, including the Elephantine papyri, the Gadatas inscription of Darius I concerning a sanctuary of Apollo, and the Passover letter of Darius II to the Jews of Elephantine in 419 BC, which gave official instructions regarding the Jewish festival. The Persian practice of supporting local cults and codifying local laws is documented by Darius's work on Egyptian law. The title sāpar dātā (scribe of the law) may reflect an official title in the Persian administration. The use of Aramaic as the language of imperial correspondence is confirmed by countless documents. The seven counselors of the king are also mentioned in Greek sources and in Esther.